Phases (States) of Matter

Overview

• Matter: Anything that takes up space and has mass (i.e., weighs something).
• Main phases of matter: Solid, Liquid, Gas.
• Uncommon phase: Plasma (not covered here).

Solid

• Characteristics:

  • Definite shape: Shape is certain and does not change easily.
  • Definite volume: Volume remains constant, regardless of position or place.
  • Incompressible: Cannot be squeezed into a smaller volume.

• Microscopic View:

  • Particles are closely packed.
  • Particles vibrate in place but do not move to new locations.
  • Definite shape due to fixed particle positions, similar to bricks in a house.
  • Incompressible due to lack of extra space between particles.

Liquid

• Characteristics:

  • Indefinite shape: Takes the shape of its container.
  • Definite volume: Volume remains constant even when shape changes.
  • Incompressible: Cannot be significantly compressed.

• Microscopic View:

  • Particles are close together but can move around.
  • Particles can swim or wiggle past each other.
  • Indefinite shape because particles move into new locations easily.
  • Incompressible due to lack of significant space between particles.

Gas

• Characteristics:

  • Indefinite shape: Takes the shape of its container.
  • Indefinite volume: Volume changes with container size.
  • Compressible: Can be squeezed into a smaller volume.

• Microscopic View:

  • Particles are far apart and in rapid motion.
  • Indefinite shape and volume due to ability of particles to expand or contract.
  • Compressible because particles are far apart, allowing them to be squeezed closer.

Summary

• Solid: Definite shape and volume, incompressible, particles vibrate in place.
• Liquid: Indefinite shape, definite volume, incompressible, particles move around.
• Gas: Indefinite shape and volume, compressible, particles move freely and are far apart.